The Constitution of the United States was drafted in 1787 in Philadelphia by some of the same men who drafted the Declaration of Independence. The preamble of the document is often considered the most important part of the document in that it captured the ideals that define our nation today. The original Declaration of Independence document is housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and is recognized worldwide not only as a declaration of freedom but as a message of human rights and self-governance. Thomas Jefferson led the committee who wrote the declaration, and all 13 colonies signed the document, but the British government refused to acknowledge that declaration. These representatives were known as the Continental Congress. Augustineīest BBQ in Florida: Here's 12 restaurants, food trucks from Palm Beach to PensacolaĮach of the colonies had representatives who worked together to draft the document they felt would secure their independence once it was evident that Great Britain had no intention of giving the colonies any voice in their governance. Johns County History: Pair of lions unveiled in Davis Park in St. Augustine: Evening event planned on the bayfront The British were finally defeated in 1783. The Revolutionary War between the colonists and Great Britain began in 1775 as the colonists fought to be free of taxation without representation. It is a colorful rendition of John Trumbull’s painting which hangs in the US Capitol building, and an enduring testament to their greatness.Because the colonists were required to submit tax payments to Great Britain and provide lodging, food and care free of charge to British soldiers, they rebelled. Forest Lawn’s tribute to these heroes may be seen in the Declaration of Independence mosaic at Forest Lawn-Glendale. Five signers were captured by the British and brutally tortured as traitors. Nine fought in the Revolutionary War and died from wounds or hardships. Two lost their sons in the war, and two others had sons captured. At least a dozen of the 56 had their homes pillaged and burned.Ģ42 years later, a grateful nation remembers their courageous actions and sacrifices. Signing the Declaration proved to be very costly. In fact, it was Benjamin Franklin who, after putting his quill pen down quipped, “We must indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall hang separately.”ĭespite such dire consequences, the reality was that our Founding Fathers valued freedom and its promise for themselves and their posterity so much so that they would risk and pledge their “lives, fortunes and sacred honor.” They were men of means and education, yet they signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing full well that the penalty could be death if they were captured. What kind of men were the signers? Twenty-five were lawyers or jurists. Eleven were merchants. Nine were farmers or large plantation owners. One was a teacher, one a musician and one a printer. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines treason as “the betrayal of allegiance toward one’s own country, especially by committing hostile acts against it or aiding its enemies in committing such acts.” When the 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence, they knew full well that they were committing treason against England and they knew the penalty-death. Home » Reflections » 56 and Treason: The Declaration of Independence
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